finalist

noun

1. Somebody or something that appears in the final stage of a competition.

   “If the disqualifications leave a vacancy for the full complement of finalists, swim-offs shall be continued among the disqualified swimmers until a full complement of finalists is assured.”

   “Soto was a finalist once before in right field, in 2022, when he lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Mookie Betts.”

2. A university student in their final year of study; a senior.
3. A university student during the period of sitting their final examinations (whether or not in their final year of study).